10 Ways to make your wedding ceremony feel like you
10 ways to create a wedding ceremony your guests will talk about for years
Planning your wedding ceremony should feel exciting, meaningful and full of those “oh my goodness, this is finally happening!” moments. It shouldn’t feel awkward, boring, formal, stressful or like you’re ticking boxes from someone else’s script. Your should ceremony be heartfelt and relaxed all at once, filled to the brim with warmth, humour and all the feels that are right for you.
Here are ten gorgeous, guest-pleasing, memory-making ways to create the kind of ceremony that feels unmistakably yours.
Photo Credit: @weddingsby.carlo
Kick start with a Celebrant who gets you (and loves your story)
Your ceremony becomes unforgettable when your celebrant actually knows and understands you. Your vibe, your quirks, your friendship, your silly moments and your shared journey. When your celebrant feels like someone you’d happily have at Sunday brunch, everything flows naturally and your guests feel instantly connected.
What to look for:
Someone who’s warm, relaxed and genuinely interested in your story
A celebrant who blends humour, sentiment and sophistication easily
Someone who values personalisation over cookie-cutter scripts
Photo Credit: @weddingsby.carlo
Share your story in a way that feels real, genuine and right for you
Your love story doesn’t need to sound like a movie script, it just needs to sound like you. A good celebrant will turn the raw moments, the sweet bits, the quirks and the chaos into something that feels heartfelt, engaging and fun for you and your guests.
Why this matters:
Your guests lean in when the story feels authentic, especially since they already know your story so well
A playful tone keeps things light without losing the overall meaning
Shared laughter creates instant connection
Photo Credit: @weddingsby.carlo
Keep your ceremony the perfect length
No one ever said, “Wow, I loved how long that ceremony went!” The sweet spot is usually 20–30 minutes, long enough to feel meaningful and short enough to keep your guests smiling, not shifting in their seats and checking their watches (or worse, phones).
My top tips are:
Trim anything that feels forced, fluffly or overly formal
Choose readings or symbolisms that actually mean something to you
Photo Credit: @weddingsby.carlo
Bring in elements of your personality and style
Whether you’re beach lovers, dog people, craft beer connoisseurs, quiet romantics or cheeky adventurers, lean into it because that’s your style. Your ceremony should feel like an extension of the two of you.
Consider adding these cute elements:
Mention a beloved pet (especially if they’re part of the day)
Use subtle in-jokes or shared memories
Include cultural or family touches
Photo Credit: @weddingsby.carlo
Write wedding vows that feel natural and not nerve-wracking
Vows don’t need to be Shakespearean sonnets to land beautifully. Simple, warm, real words always hit the heart hardest. I can’t stress just how much personal vows help make all the difference. A good celebrant will guide you with templates, prompts and gentle structure, so your vows feel authentic and you’re not stressed the night before your wedding!
Photo Credit: @weddingsby.carlo
Add a dash of humour without turning it into a comedy show
The most memorable ceremonies strike a gorgeous balance between heartfelt and light-hearted. A little giggle, a sweet grin, a shared knowing look are moments that release nerves and make everything feel real.
Gentle, clever and subtle humour naturally fits:
In your story
In your celebrant’s delivery
In a playful promise or two in your vows
Photo Credit: @weddingsby.carlo
Make your ceremony feel inclusive for your guests
Your ceremony isn’t just for the two of you, it’s for your people, too. When your guests feel involved, the atmosphere becomes warm, connected and full of joy.
Easy ways to include guests are:
Warm, conversational storytelling
A group vow (fun and meaningful!)
Roasting your groomsmen (tastefully, of course)
Honouring your bridesmaids by sharing a few sweet stories
Surprising guests with golden tickets under chairs to choose ring bearers or witnesses
A custom like ring warming or candle lighting
Photo Credit: @weddingsby.carlo
Choose ceremony music that YOU love
Music is emotional magic. The right ceremony songs create a beautiful flow and give your ceremony its heartbeat.
When choosing your ceremony songs think of:
A sweet song for your entrance (or one for your wedding party and one for you)
Two gentle tracks while you sign your certificates of marriage
An upbeat track for your walk back up the aisle as newlyweds to kick start the party
Photo Credit: @weddingsby.carlo
Create a beautifully relaxed atmosphere
Relaxed doesn’t mean messy, it means human, warm and authentic. A ceremony that feels effortless is usually the result of meticulous behind-the-scenes organisation.
How to get that “easy breezy” vibe:
Hire a celebrant who coordinates all the details smoothly with your vendors well before your big day and on the day
Book a celebrant who ensures everyone knows where to stand and what to do during your ceremony
Hire a celebrant who will keep the tone of your ceremony conversational, heartfelt and professional
Finish with a moment that feels like you two
The end of your ceremony sets the tone for the celebration that follows. Make it fun, make it playful and make it unmistakably yours! Add a confetti toss bursting with colour, or a champagne pop moment (or champagne tower) and carefully choose an upbeat song as you walk out beaming.
Your ceremony should feel like you!
Your wedding ceremony is the heart of your day, part one of a two part celebration, the moment where everything becomes official, emotional, magical and real. When you choose a celebrant who brings warmth, humour, storytelling, professionalism and a touch of sparkle, you create the kind of ceremony guests rave about long after the champagne is gone.
If you’d like a ceremony that feels fun, heartfelt and joyfully unique, I’d absolutely love to bring your story to life on the Sunshine Coast. Just say the word and we’ll start creating something unforgettable together.